Should You Upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM6? (Honest Review)

Summary

In this video, the reviewer dives deep into Sony's new M6 flagship headphones, highlighting key upgrades such as a foldable design, improved sound quality with new 30mm drivers, and the introduction of the QN3 processor. The M6s offer exceptional noise cancellation, a customizable sound experience through the app, and future-proof features like OraCast support. While the build quality is good, it doesn't quite rival Bose, and the price is $50 higher than the previous M5s. Overall, the M6s are a solid choice for those upgrading from older models, but M5 owners may not find the improvements revolutionary.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony M6 headphones come with a newly designed hard case featuring a magnetic clasp for easier access compared to previous models.
• 😀 Sony has brought back a foldable design for the M6 headphones, addressing previous complaints about the XM5s not folding.
• 😀 The M6s have a wider, flatter headband for better comfort and a tighter fit, making them more comfortable than the M5s despite the increased clamping force.
• 😀 The sound quality has significantly improved with new 30mm drivers and a QN3 processor, resulting in clearer vocals, better bass control, and enhanced instrument separation.
• 😀 The M6s sound more balanced and mature than the M5s, with less aggressive bass but improved accuracy and refinement.
• 😀 The Sony Sound Connect app offers customization options, including a 10-band equalizer, multiple EQ presets, and a new gaming EQ mode for casual gamers.
• 😀 The M6 headphones feature advanced noise-canceling technology with the QN3 processor, adapting more quickly to environmental noise changes.
• 😀 While the M6 headphones excel at handling sudden loud noises, they aren't the best at canceling low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or AC units.
• 😀 The headphones include smart adaptive sound control, automatically adjusting noise-canceling levels based on activity and location.
• 😀 New features like ambient mode work well, allowing for clear audio from surroundings without excessive hiss or white noise, thanks to new microphones and the QN3 chip.
• 😀 Connectivity improvements include Bluetooth 5.4, multi-point support, Google Fast Pair, and the introduction of OraCast, enabling future-proof audio sharing experiences.

Q & A

What is the major design change in the Sony M6 headphones compared to previous models?

The Sony M6 headphones come with a newly designed hard case that features a magnetic clasp instead of a full zipper. This makes it easier to access with one hand, and the headphones now have a foldable design, which was a key complaint with the XM5s.

What specific design feature makes the Sony M6 more comfortable than its predecessors?

The headband on the Sony M6 is wider and flatter, providing better comfort. Additionally, the headphones are asymmetrical, ensuring they are always worn correctly, and the clamping force has been increased for better noise isolation.

How has the sound quality improved in the Sony M6 compared to the M5?

The sound quality of the Sony M6 has been refined with new 30mm drivers and the QN3 processor, resulting in clearer vocals, improved bass control, and better instrument separation. The sound is more mature and balanced, with less aggressive bass compared to the M5s.

What new feature does the Sony M6 offer for sound customization?

The Sony M6 provides extensive sound customization via the Sony Sound Connect app. Users can adjust the 10-band equalizer, select from multiple EQ presets, and even use a gaming EQ, as well as tweak spatial audio settings and upmix audio to Sony's 360 Reality Audio format.

How does the noise cancellation in the Sony M6 compare to other headphones on the market?

The Sony M6 features advanced noise cancellation with the QN3 processor's 'Noise Shaper,' which allows for faster adaptation to changing environments. While it excels at adapting to loud, sudden noises, it may not perform as well as competitors like the Bose QuietComfort in reducing low-frequency sounds like airplane noise.

What new features have been introduced for transparency and ambient sound control in the Sony M6?

The Sony M6 offers an improved ambient sound mode that allows users to hear their surroundings with high clarity. This mode utilizes new microphones and the QN3 chip, minimizing hiss and white noise, making transparency much more natural. Additionally, features like 'speak to talk' and head gesture controls are available.

What are the connectivity features of the Sony M6 headphones?

The Sony M6 headphones support Bluetooth 5.4 with multi-point pairing for two devices, Google fast pair, and 'Find My Device' functionality. They also introduce Bluetooth LE audio with support for OraCast, enabling the sharing of audio experiences at events or public places.

How long is the battery life of the Sony M6 headphones?

The Sony M6 headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled and 40 hours with noise cancellation off. Fast charging provides 3 hours of playback with just 3 minutes of charging, and a full charge takes about 3.5 hours.

What are the key pros and cons of the Sony M6 headphones?

Pros include exceptional noise cancellation with smart adaptation, improved sound quality with better balance, a foldable design, 30-hour battery life, OraCast support, and extensive customization in the app. Cons include a $50 price increase over the M5s, no USB-C audio support, lack of ABTX codec support, and the build quality being slightly behind Bose's top models.

Should you upgrade to the Sony M6 if you already own the M5?

If you own the M5s, the decision to upgrade depends on personal preference. While the M6 offers meaningful improvements, such as refined sound quality and better noise cancellation, the changes may not be revolutionary enough for all users to justify the upgrade.